A battery charges faster as it gets bigger and works without chemicals. This result points to a different way to store and use energy.
Australian scientists have made a significant leap in energy storage with the world’s first proof-of-concept quantum battery. The research was carried out by CSIRO, in collaboration with RMIT University and University of Melbourne. The team was led by Dr James Quach, quantum science and technologies science leader at CSIRO who engineered the prototype.
Similar to conventional batteries, this quantum version charges, stores and discharges energy – and is the first to demonstrate all three functions in a single device. Fully functioning quantum batteries do not yet exist, but they have the potential to transform how energy is stored and used in the future.
The research outlines a long-term goal of enabling much faster charging for electric vehicles compared to petrol refuelling, along with the possibility of wireless charging over long distances.
The findings confirm a quantum effect where charging speed increases as the battery size grows, which is different from how conventional batteries behave. This supports the potential of quantum batteries for fast and efficient energy storage.
Quantum batteries operate using principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, instead of relying on chemical reactions like current battery technologies.
The developed prototype uses a multi-layered organic microcavity and is charged wirelessly using a laser. Advanced spectroscopy techniques were used to study its behaviour, showing that the device could retain stored energy for a duration that is several orders of magnitude longer than its charging time.
The work validates key theoretical predictions about quantum batteries and demonstrates how such systems could be applied in future energy storage solutions.
The prototype shows rapid and scalable charging along with energy storage at room temperature, providing a foundation for next-generation energy systems. However, further research is required to improve how long the battery can store energy, which is a key step toward practical and commercial use.
CSIRO is currently looking for development partners to take the technology forward.
